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About Taylor&Emmet LLP

Taylor&Emmet LLP is one of the leading and most successful law firms in the South Yorkshire region, a position it has held for nearly 150 years.

This success has been achieved by delivering the highest quality legal advice to business and private clients, many of whom have remained with the firm for generations.

To maintain this enviable position, we have invested significantly in the business in recent years, in terms of our geographic location, number of offices, technology and the quality and ability of our people.

Legal services for your business

﻿We’re here to look after your business interests. Integrity, professionalism and the highest standards of client care form the bedrock of our services. We have the breadth of expertise and experience to help you achieve the right results.

We become a seamless part of your team by building a rapport with key staff , learning about your operation and being transparent in our work. Developing a partnership based on trust allows us to deliver cost eff ective, honest and legal advice services that will protect and enhance your organisation. Rely on us, when it matters the most.

Taylor&Emmet in the media

Being a full-service law firm means that we can tailor our legal services for sectors. This allows us to be the go-to for all your legal requirements. For more information on how we can advice you visit our key sector pages.

Our offices or Get in touch

We have been consistently recognised by The Legal 500 guide to the legal profession as one of the leading law firms in the South Yorkshire region and throughout this website you will find evidence of the references made to Taylor&Emmet, drawn from the 2012 and 2013 editions.

A different approach

Whether you are a business or an individual seeking legal advice for the very first time, our tried and tested approach to client service remains the same.

Pressure sores (or pressure ulcers) are painful, debilitating and they occur too often, even though they are preventable. They are an often underestimated health problem in the UK. Pressure sores are caused when the affected area of skin is placed under too much pressure.

No one expects to go into hospital, or into residential care, and to suffer these incredibly nasty injuries, but it sadly happens all too often.

Extra pressure on the skin can be caused when somebody is immobile or unconscious (for example after surgery), as the flow of blood is affected. The skin can then break down leading to the formation of a sore.

Sources suggest that around 1 in 20 people who are admitted to hospital with a sudden illness will develop a pressure sore.

People over 70 years old are particularly vulnerable to pressure sores. This is due to older people having a higher rate of mobility problems, ageing skin and a reduced blood supply.

Pressure sores can be very difficult to treat. Regularly changing a patient’s position should be the order of the day. Specially designed mattresses and cushions can protect vulnerable parts of the body. Dressings and gels can be used to help speed up the healing process if pressure sores develop.

In the worst cases, pressure sores can lead to life-threatening complications such as infection, blood poisoning or gangrene.

Pressure sores often occur to the hips, buttocks, base of the spine, heels, ankles and shoulders and, in the worst cases, cause destruction of the skin and fat and muscle layers so that bones are exposed. Some pressure sores never properly heal.

Pressure sores can really affect your independence. Sores can weep and require daily, or regular, dressing, and pain relief, for a great length of time.

All medical practitioners have a duty to take reasonable care when managing their patients. When a medical practitioner fails in meeting this duty, patients may be left injured, sometimes permanently. Patients can often feel helpless in dealing with a large Health Trust which may not want to deal properly with complaints, no matter how genuine they are.

My team at Taylor&Emmet LLP and I are committed, friendly and professional Solicitors and we can help in investigating cases where debilitating pressure sores have developed.

My team and I can help in pursuing complaints regarding pressure sores on your behalf. We can also pursue fair compensation for our Clients.

Please see our Case Report/Client Stories section for a case which was settled on satisfactory terms involving an unfortunate lady who developed pressure sores on her heels due to the negligence of those treating her at Hospital following an operation

Case studies

Severe pressure sores

Mrs Makin went into the Wrightington Hospital for a hip replacement operation in November 2008 but came out with severe pressure sores.

She was in hospital for a total of 11 days. Whilst she was recuperating she could not mobilise. Mrs Makin developed discomfort and pain in her heels. She asked staff on duty to look at her heels but the answer each time was, “I will be back in a minute.” No proper action was taken.

Blisters were eventually noticed on Mrs Makin’s heels seven days after the surgery but there was no adequate intervention to prevent pressure sores from getting worse. We obtained expert evidence from a tissue viability nurse. There was no proper use of the routinely used Waterlow Risk Assessment, by hospital staff, in Mrs Makin’s case.

The guidelines laid down by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in relation to the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers were not followed.

Fall in hospital contributes to death

It was alleged Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had failed to carry out adequate falls risk assessments for an elderly lady being admitted to hospital. She should have been noted as being at very high risk of falls and pressure sores. It was alleged that the 91 year old lady’s previous health problems were not given enough consideration. These included; Impaired eyesight, dementia with confusion, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, angioplasty left leg in 2002, CVA (stroke), anaemia, COPD and atrial fibrillation.

After being in hospital for 2 days the lady fell, fracturing her ankle. This was inoperable, given her frail state and she remained immobilised and deteriorated in hospital. She sustained pressure sores and eventually died about 7 weeks after her initial admission.

Liability was only partially admitted and the claim was eventually settled for £15,000.

Here to Help

Email us with details of your situation and an experienced lawyer will respond within two hours*, to advise you on your next steps.

If you are interested in understanding how Taylor&Emmet can help you with your medical negligence claim then please contact:

Partner - Clinical Negligence

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Why choose Taylor&Emmet?

"James Drydale was spot on. I could not fault him. He communicated the issues very well. I would definitely recommend the firm’s service. There were no negatives"

Mrs Anita Fermoyle

“James Drydale was very professional and understanding. He offered very good advice throughout my case and he believed in it from the start. James achieved a great result for me.”

Mr Neil Broadbent

"I couldn’t have asked for, nor expected, more help and understanding in what was one of the most difficult times of my life. I do not believe you could improve the level of service."

Mr D Oldale

"I have been looked after extremely well during what has been a difficult case. Right from the very beginning they have kept me informed and I have felt genuinely cared for by all I have spoken and met with. Nothing has been too much trouble and I have found that there has always been someone on the end of a phone ready to help and advise me. I feel they have worked extremely hard to get a just result. "

Mrs Heidi Wilton-Burr

"Camilla handled my case in an extremely professional and competent way. At the same time she was always very empathetic and understanding and I trusted her judgement at all times."

Mrs Carol Stacey

The ‘extremely well-prepared’ James Drydale leads the ‘thorough and user-friendly’ team at Taylor&Emmet LLP . James Drydale “total professional” and Paul Fouad “thoughtful and imaginative”.

Legal 500 - 2016

“He has been so diligent and easy to contact if we had any queries, He has achieved a marvellous outcome for us, and we are very appreciative of him. We would have no hesitation in recommending him to anyone who is the victim of clinical negligence and unsure of who to contact. He has been fantastic with us..”

Clinical negligence client - 2018

“Extremely thorough and user friendly approach to clients.”

Legal 500 - 2017

The clinical negligence department at Taylor & Emmet LLP handles complex and high-value matters, as well as being one of few firms able to offer legal aid for birth injury cases. Recently made up to equity partner, James Drydale is on the Law Society’s clinical negligence panel and a senior litigator of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. Drydale leads the practice, which also includes Paul Fouad, who is regularly instructed on cerebral palsy, delayed diagnosis of cancer and birth injury matters. Camilla Attwood is another key name to note.

Legal 500 - 2018

Camilla Attwood was my solicitor dealing with my hip case. With many twists and turns over the four years Camilla always kept me informed and never gave up on a very difficult case. It was her brilliant work that won us our case, many thanks to Camilla and her team for all their hard work over the last 4 years.”

Keith and Maureen Edwards

I can only compliment you and your team not only on the very professional service that you have provided but to express my deepest gratitude for the empathy, support, patience and understanding that you have shown to me. I have not always been the easiest of clients however, you have always conducted business with nothing but my best interests at heart and I cannot thank you and your colleagues enough.

More information

HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO MAKE A CLAIM?

In most medical negligence cases, you have three years to make a compensation claim, starting from the date your injury happens (or the date you first became aware that your injury was a result of negligence).

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I MAKE A CLAIM?

After you’ve contacted us, we’ll set up a free initial consultation to discuss your case and whether you have a legal claim. We’ll discuss what funding options are available to you to pay for your claim, including No Win No Fee agreements*.